Fractured Foot Specialist

Complete Foot & Ankle

Podiatrists located in Ridgewood, NJ & Garfield, NJ

One in every 10 fractures occurs in the foot. If you’ve experienced trauma or have symptoms that suggest a broken bone in your foot, contact the experienced doctors at Complete Foot and Ankle. Dr. Jacob Reinkraut, Dr. Michelle Suh; Danny Gomez, DPM, FACFAS; and Edward Costa, DPM diagnose and treat foot fractures for people living in Ridgewood or Garfield, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas. If you suspect broken bones, call the office immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

Fractured Foot Q & A

What causes foot fractures?

Many of the bones of the foot are quite tiny and vulnerable to fracture. You usually experience a break when you crush, bend, stretch, or twist a bone out of its typical movement pattern. Kicking a hard object, landing from a fall, or twisting or spraining an ankle can all lead to a foot fracture.

You can also experience stress fractures in your feet. These are small cracks that form in your bones over an extended period due to repeated stress. Stress fractures often occur in athletes such as runners, gymnasts, and dancers.

Events that are likely to cause a foot fracture include:

Car accidents

Impact from dropping a heavy item

Falls

Missteps

Overuse

What increases the risk that I will fracture my foot?

High-impact sports, including dance or soccer, carry an increased risk of stress fractures. If you use improper form during exercise or poor equipment — such as the wrong shoes — you’re also at risk. Other risk factors include:

A sudden increase in your activity level

Certain occupations that put you at risk of dropping something on your foot or falling

Osteoporosis

How do I know if I’ve broken my foot?

Sometimes, the pain and cause of your break are apparent. However, stress fractures and fractures in smaller bones may be harder to detect. Look for:

Swelling and pain

Inability to walk due to pain

Bruising

In some cases, you may have a broken bone in your foot or ankle and still be able to walk. You’ll notice increased pain, however, especially if you attempt vigorous activities.

At Complete Foot and Ankle, the doctors use imaging tests, such as X-rays, to diagnose a foot fracture.

How is a fractured foot treated?

Broken toes usually heal well without a lot of medical intervention. At home, ice, elevation, rest, and stabilization are the best treatments.

If other bones in your foot are broken, treatment depends on which bone is affected and how severe the break is. The doctors at Complete Foot and Ankle may offer crutches, casting, medication, and, in rare cases, surgery.

If you break your ankle, you may need implantation of screws or metal plates to stabilize the joint.

If you’ve broken a bone in your foot or are experiencing foot pain that you suspect might be a fracture, call Complete Foot and Ankle or book an appointment online.